Java users may be noticing a string of virtual environment errors lately, pop-ups that say something like, “Several Java virtual machines running in the same process; Java Runtime Environment cannot be loaded.” Users of Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and Vista have all been affected. While the cause of these errors hasn’t been pinpointed yet, there are a few processes you can try to make Java run properly again.

OK, here goes! Time to roll up the sleeves and dig into your computer’s settings

1. Physical Memory Settings

The first thing we’ll try is adjusting your PC’s physical memory for Java Runtime Environment (JRE). To do this you’ll want to see what your physical memory actually is.

1.Go to your Start menu and click on Control Panel.
2.Open System, and look for the particulars on your RAM or physical memory.
3.Do some math! Figure out what ¾ your physical memory is. And write it down so you don’t forget.

Now you’ll want to adjust the JRE parameter for your system.

1.Go back to your Start menu and click on Control Panel.
2.Scroll down to find and open Java.
3.Click on View.

4.Find the field that says Java Runtime Parameters, type in Xmx____. The underlined blank is where you will input the value for ¾ your physical memory… you know, the number you wrote down so you wouldn’t forget!

2. Virtual Memory Settings

Still getting the errors? Let’s try tackling the virtual memory now.

1.Go to your Start menu and click on Control Panel (or Settings and then Control Panel for Vista users).
2.Open Settings and then click on Performance (or Advanced System Settings) and then Advanced.
3.Click on Virtual Memory and then Change (under Performance click on Settings, then Performance Options Advanced, and then open Virtual Memory and click Change).
4.Select System Managed Size and then click OK.
5.Restart your PC and cross your fingers!

The Uninstall/Reinstall Game

If you are still seeing runtime errors for JRE, the next option is uninstalling your Java software.

For Windows XP

1.Go to your Start menu and click on Settings.
2.Open your Control Panel and click on Add/Remove Programs.
3.Select the Java Runtime Environment listed and remove all instances one at a time.

For Vista and Windows 7

1.Go to your Start menu and click on Settings.
2.Open your Control Panel and then click on Programs and Features.
3.You can remove the Java Runtime Environment files in this window, one at a time.

After you’ve uninstalled JRE, go to Java’s web site and download the latest and greatest (and hopefully error-free) version!